Chapter 126: Chapter 79: Mastering the Alchemy Art! Master Su!_l
Su Changkong nodded understandingly with a smile.
In the Giant Whale Gang, as an Alchemist, Gong Zheng’s salary was in fact not very high—merely three to five hundred taels of silver per month.
However, an Alchemist is the first person to come into contact with the newly refined Pill Medicine, and the tricks one could play were far too many!
Even if one pocketed one or two pills, it wouldn’t matter much; the Giant Whale Gang turned a blind eye to this as well. Of course, if someone went too far, or even failed to meet the Gang’s own supply of Pill Medicine, an investigation and accountability would certainly follow.
Su Changkong’s days had suddenly become tranquil. He continued his life just as he did at Black Iron Manor, practicing martial arts and working every day.
The only difference was that his work had shifted from Forging to Alchemy. Su Changkong’s Forging skills had already reached a Profound Mastery, making major progress in a short time unlikely, so putting it aside for now was not an issue.
“This job… is indeed quite good.”
As night fell, Su Changkong looked at a Qi Increasing Pill in his hand, feeling immensely satisfied. He swallowed it in one gulp and then began practicing the Turtle Breath Technique.
In the Giant Whale Gang, Pill Medicines were also exceedingly precious items, not something ordinary members could enjoy. Only elite disciples with a certain status within the Gang were entitled to a fixed quantity of Pill Medicine each month. To obtain more, one would need to exchange for it with contributions!
As for someone like Su Changkong, as the Alchemist himself, pocketing a few pills occasionally wouldn’t bother anyone. Even if the Giant Whale Gang knew about it, they would turn a blind eye.
Keeping an Alchemist satisfied ensured they would put their full effort into Alchemy. Otherwise, a few intentional failures would cost more in wasted medicinal materials than the price of a few pills.
That was why Alchemists were in demand.
“The effect of this Qi Increasing Pill is many times greater than the Vital Qi Spread I took before! It’s a pity that my success rate in refining the Qi Increasing Pill is still not high, otherwise, I could take a few more…”
Feeling the potency of the Qi Increasing Pill, Su Changkong inwardly praised.
The Vital Qi Spread Su Changkong had taken before was merely a medicinal powder, while the Qi Increasing Pill belonged to the realm of Pill Medicine, not on the same level in terms of cost and effect!
In the blink of an eye, two months passed.
In the Pharmacy’s Pill Refining Room, the scent of medicine filled the air.
“Good! This furnace has produced six Qi Increasing Pills!”
As the Pill Furnace opened, Gong Zheng admired several round, fragrance-emitting Qi Increasing Pills within.
Producing six Qi Increasing Pills from a single furnace required not just luck, but also fundamental technique!
(Mastering Stage 4, 7%)
Su Changkong’s face was also full of smiles, his Alchemy skills having reached a new level in a mere month or two, advancing to Stage 4. When refining Qi Increasing Pills, he could now manage to break even.
While his innate talent and potential played significant roles, Gong Zheng’s comprehensive guidance was also indispensable.
Master Gong marveled, “Changkong, your talent for Alchemy is truly incredible… I estimate it won’t be long before you surpass me!”
“Master Gong is too kind. To catch up with Master Gong’s Alchemy skills, it will take at least ten years,” Su Changkong humbly returned the compliment, though he actually believed that with his progress rate, one to two years should suffice!
“There’s no need for modesty with me, you rascal… I’ve already reported to the higher-ups that your Alchemy skills are sufficient to stand on their own,” Master Gong remarked with a chuckle, followed by a more serious tone, “I estimate I’ll be leaving the Giant Whale Gang at the beginning of next month. Once you take on the role of the Gang’s Alchemist, just focus on refining pills, and don’t get involved in any trivial gang matters.”
A chill went through Su Changkong’s heart. During these two months, he followed Gong Zheng and learned Alchemy, barely interacting with other members of the Giant Whale Gang, but he still learned about some of the Gang’s internal affairs through Gong Zheng.
The Giant Whale Gang was not as unified as it appeared to the outside world.
Within the Gang, there were multiple factions. The Leader Faction naturally revolved around Sikong Yong, whose name resonated throughout Ink Forest Prefecture City as the leader of the Giant Whale Gang. However, according to Master Gong, Sikong Yong had been in seclusion for many years, unseen by the Gang for at least five years, leaving most affairs to his children, Sikong Zhan and Sikong Huang. Both were smart and brave, but their youth made it challenging for them to fully assert control over factions led by the ambitious Deputy Gang Leader Meng Sang.
Meng Sang, ambitious as he was, had been compliant when Sikong Yong was around. With Sikong Yong in seclusion for nearly five years without making an appearance, Meng Sang was becoming restless. Moreover, the Gang’s four major divisions—Wind, Fire, Thunder, and Lightning—were also watching the situation unfold.
Not only that, but the sea routes controlled by the Giant Whale Gang in Blue Rain Sea were also attracting Sea Pirates, eager to have a share of the spoils!
Both inside and outside, the Giant Whale Gang faced no small amount of trouble, with Gong Zheng warning Su Changkong not to get entangled in it.
With a smile, Su Changkong replied, “I’m just an Alchemist. Their power struggles and fights to the death are none of my business.”
“Indeed,” Master Gong nodded slightly. As an Alchemist, one’s status within the Giant Whale Gang was quite special. No matter who was in power, it wouldn’t matter to them.
For the common folk, does it matter who the emperor is?
“Master Gong, are you leaving?” Su Changkong couldn’t help but ask. In the past two months, Gong Zheng had instructed him in Alchemy, imparting all he knew. Although a major reason was his own interests, Su Changkong was nonetheless very grateful.
With Su Changkong’s rapid progress, there was not much left for Master Gong to teach. Having already applied to leave the Giant Whale Gang next month, Su Changkong felt a slight sense of loss.